Post Backpacking Trip Clean-Up

Published on April 25, 2021 · 2 min

I have the privilege of being able to afford all those random little backpacking items, and while I don’t baby my gear, I do try to take care of it. Especially things that keep me safe. Here’s what I do after every trip with a few of the items.

I have what are probably the two most popular water filters on the market: the Katadyn BeFree and Sawyer Squeeze. The point of this article isn’t about comparing filters, but I recommend both: I use the BeFree for solo day hikes / fastpacking or if water is plentiful, and the Squeeze in pretty much every other situation (e.g. if I need to filter for other people). If buying now then I would be super keen to try out the Platypus QuickDraw.

This previous weekend I came back from a quick overnight with some people and kids, so decided to take photos of the clean-up process.

Sawyer Squeeze

I prefer doing a backflush with the coupling unit vs. the syringe.

Post Backpacking Trip Clean-Up image 1

Get supplies ready. Bleach, spare Sawyer bag, and blue coupling thing.

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Fill bag with water, add one cupful of bleach.

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Put on blue coupling thing, but only about 1/2 way

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Put Squeeze on and now make it tight.

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Backflush. I don’t do it like this, and use two hands instead, but had to take a photo.

Post Backpacking Trip Clean-Up image 6

Put cap back on and pour a little of the water in the filter. Let sit for a few hours.

CNOC Bladder

I use this as a dirty bag if needing to filter a lot of water (e.g. group trip).

Post Backpacking Trip Clean-Up image 7

Fill bladder with water and a capful of bleach.

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Put on counter and let sit for a few hours. I then put a small cup in the opening and let stand dry.

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20 year old Platypus bladders stay in the freezer. Mainly used for running if I don’t take my BeFree.

Gas Canister

I use my kitchen scale to weigh and then write down how much gas is left. This one started at 203g, and after a few overnights is 110g. Commonly these canisters weight 95g - 100g when empty, so I know I’ve got 1-2 burns remaining.

Post Backpacking Trip Clean-Up image 10

Weight on the side (~200g gross weight, 95-100g empty weight)

That’s it. When done these all go in my “every trip” basket (to be fair, I don’t take a stove quite often), and now I know I don’t get caught out with a clogged filter or run out of fuel and drink cold coffee.